Tuesday, January 26, 2010

UTOPIA

Ahhhh UTOPIA- a place where the print industry is alive and thriving. Last Thursday I had the pleasure of photographing the U360 Competition.

Not only did I get to stay at the American Club in Kohler, WI (very nice) but more importantly, I got to meet and photograph some amazing designers (very cool).

It was interesting to be able to witness the judging process. 100s of print pieces lay across yards and yards or neatly linen covered tables. All waiting to be selected to move on to the next round or be left to serve those in which it was made and nothing further. I couldn't help but think about the process that goes through my head when choosing images for the Addys and why one thing wins over another. With that thought playing in my head and watching the judges deliberate over the entries, some answers were revealed, sort of. Now I can't tell you much about what was selected, but I can tell you that I was surprised. Shocker right? Don't get me wrong, most of the pieces that were selected were awesome. You know, those pieces that you see that instantly make you wish you had a hand in it. But, on the other hand, there were a couple pieces that still boggle my mind. The best way for me to describe it is "simple", and some times simple is what it takes.

Here's what I came away with from my U360 experience:

PRINT LIVES

ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHY LIVES

K.I.S.S. sometimes...

U360 Competition

We are introducing U360—a new competition for 2010 that is the next generation of U B the Judge. U360 is a celebration of the role print plays in today’s marketing mix. U360 will embrace excellence in communication, design, and execution of projects. '360' reflects that the judging will take on a more holistic or 'all around' assessment of the project - from concept and writing, imagery and design, and finally quality of print and bindery execution.

Our new competition will move from an event-based, peer judging platform to review by a North American panel of creative, communication, and print professionals. Winners will be included in a showbook distributed throughout North America, the Utopia website, and in press releases. An exhibit of the winning entries will be available for local market events through your Utopia sales representative (based on availability).

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Photographer

Like any normal teenager, I endured various humdrum jobs; from bagging groceries at 16, to schlepping yogurt in the mall, to stocking coolers at a local golf course, I've done it all. And despite the fact that I learned how to make a killer eggs benedict at Mom's Cozy Cafe, I knew I had more to offer than the Tuesday breakfast special! Thankfully, karma was on my side, and at the spry age of 17, I bought my first camera and haven't looked back since. I've been a creator of Art and Commercial Photography for the last 18 years. Wow, time goes fast. Outside of that you'll most likely find me jamming to music in my car on my way to find the next spot to throw a frisbee whether it be down the street or in another part of the country. It's a rough life, but it's mine and I love it.

He said, She said:

"When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire". -Unknown

"The mind plays tricks on you. You play tricks back! It's like you're unraveling a big cable-knit sweater that someone keeps knitting and knitting and knitting and knitting and knitting and knitting..." -Pee-wee Herman

"Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway."

"In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal."

"If you come to a fork in the road, take it." -Yogi Berra

"If one pulls on a single thread in nature, you'll find it attached to everything else" John Muir

"I'm man enough to tell you that I can't put my finger on exactly what my philosophy is now, but I'm flexible." -Malcolm X

"Anybody who has been in or around the business of Advertising for any length of time will agree, it's like a triple scoop of Spumoni ice cream in a chocolate dipped waffle cone. On any given day it might be a little over the top, but make no mistake, it is a mixture of fruit, candy and nuts and most days it is super yummy." -Shane Van Boxtel